Various artists, "Apple Records Box Set" (Apple/EMI, $336.98)

The Beatles vanity label, launched in 1968, was testament to the group's voracious appetite for new sounds. For five years, the label brought together an array of artists from the worlds of folk, jazz, soul, classical, Indian music and rock, including future star James Taylor, cult-rockers Badfinger and session mainstay Billy Preston, with contributions from individual Beatles scattered throughout (Jackie Lomax performs a knockout version of George Harrison's Beatles outtake, "Sour Milk Sea"). This 17-disc box pulls together 14 studio albums from across the roster, a "best of" collection and a double-disc of outtakes. It's far from essential, but it does provide a snapshot of the Beatles' tastes as music appreciators. Ringo Starr a fan of both British classical composer John Tavener and UFO enthusiast Chris Hodge -- who knew?

The Beatles vanity label, launched in 1968, was testament to the group's voracious appetite for new sounds. For five years, the label brought together an array of artists from the worlds of folk, jazz, soul, classical, Indian music and rock, including future star James Taylor, cult-rockers Badfinger and session mainstay Billy Preston, with contributions from individual Beatles scattered throughout (Jackie Lomax performs a knockout version of George Harrison's Beatles outtake, "Sour Milk Sea"). This 17-disc box pulls together 14 studio albums from across the roster, a "best of" collection and a double-disc of outtakes. It's far from essential, but it does provide a snapshot of the Beatles' tastes as music appreciators. Ringo Starr a fan of both British classical composer John Tavener and UFO enthusiast Chris Hodge -- who knew?

The Beatles vanity label, launched in 1968, was testament to the group's voracious appetite for new sounds. For five years, the label brought together an array of artists from the worlds of folk, jazz, soul, classical, Indian music and rock, including future star James Taylor, cult-rockers Badfinger and session mainstay Billy Preston, with contributions from individual Beatles scattered throughout (Jackie Lomax performs a knockout version of George Harrison's Beatles outtake, "Sour Milk Sea"). This 17-disc box pulls together 14 studio albums from across the roster, a "best of" collection and a double-disc of outtakes. It's far from essential, but it does provide a snapshot of the Beatles' tastes as music appreciators. Ringo Starr a fan of both British classical composer John Tavener and UFO enthusiast Chris Hodge -- who knew?